health

Denmark is one of the world's happiest nations. Are its parenting habits worth importing?

March 19, 2026 / 10:39 AM EDT / CBS News

Denmark is one of the world's happiest nations. Are its parenting habits worth importing?

TL;DR

  • Finland is the world's happiest country according to the 2026 World Happiness Report.
  • Danish parenting practices, summarized by the acronym PARENT, are suggested for adoption in the U.S.
  • P stands for Play, which teaches empathy, negotiation, critical thinking, collaboration, and internal locus of control.
  • A stands for Authenticity, meaning honest, age-appropriate communication with children about life.
  • R is for Respect, E for Empathy, N for No ultimatums, and T for Togetherness.
  • Denmark's high happiness scores are linked to societal trust, low inequality, and a strong welfare system.
  • Danish parents can take up to a year off when having a baby.
  • The U.S. ranked 17th in the happiness report, with research suggesting a drop in well-being among heavy social media users.